Every October, Phuket transforms into a city of faith, flavor, and color as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival (or Tesagan Gin Jay) takes place.
This year, the festival will be held from October 21–29, 2025, and it’s one of the most fascinating cultural events you can experience during your stay at Club Bamboo Boutique Resort & Spa in Patong.
🌿 What Is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival?
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival—also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival—is a Taoist celebration that promotes spiritual cleansing and good health through abstinence from meat, alcohol, and stimulants for nine days.
Locals dress in white as a symbol of purity, while shrines across the island host sacred rituals to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. The festival is both deeply spiritual and incredibly photogenic, with processions, rituals, and endless vegetarian food stalls lining the streets.
🔥 What You’ll See
If you’ve never experienced it before, the Vegetarian Festival is unlike anything else in the world.
Here are some of the most unforgettable moments to witness:
Street Processions – Watch devotees dressed in white march through Phuket Town, accompanied by drums, incense smoke, and thousands of firecrackers.
Spirit Mediums (Ma Song) – In a trance-like state, mediums perform acts of body piercing as a form of devotion. It’s a dramatic but deeply spiritual sight.
Firewalking & Bladed-Ladder Climbing – Late-night rituals showcase devotees walking across hot coals or climbing sharp ladders to demonstrate faith and purity.
Lantern Pole Raising & Farewell Processions – The festival begins and ends with large ceremonies at local shrines, particularly Jui Tui, Bang Neow, and Kathu Shrine.
These events take place mostly around Phuket Town, which is only about 25 minutes from Club Bamboo Patong, and can easily be visited as a half-day or evening trip.
🥢 A Paradise for Vegetarian Food Lovers
During these nine days, Phuket becomes a food lover’s paradise—especially if you enjoy vegetarian cuisine.
Look for stalls with the yellow flag bearing the red word “เจ (Jay)”, meaning they serve vegetarian food prepared according to festival traditions (no meat, seafood, onion, garlic, or animal fat).
Must-try dishes include:
Crispy tofu and fried mushrooms
Yellow noodle soup with soy-based “meatballs”
Steamed buns (salapao) filled with vegetables
Stir-fried mock meat dishes and spicy Thai curries
Sweet taro cakes and banana-leaf desserts
You’ll find hundreds of food stalls throughout Phuket Town, as well as near local temples—even some around Patong join in the celebration.
📍 Where to Go from Club Bamboo
Here are the best spots to experience the Vegetarian Festival:
Jui Tui Shrine (Phuket Town) – The main temple and heart of the festival.
Bang Neow Shrine (Phuket Town) – Known for its vibrant processions and fireworks.
Kathu Shrine – One of the oldest and most sacred temples, where the festival originally began.
From Club Bamboo Patong, you can easily take a short taxi or motorbike ride to Phuket Town in under 30 minutes.
Our front desk team can assist you with transportation or guided local tours during the festival period.
🕯 Tips for Visitors
Dress modestly in white – It’s a sign of respect and participation.
Avoid bright or flashy colors, especially red.
Prepare for loud firecrackers – Bring earplugs if needed!
Be respectful when photographing rituals – Always keep a safe distance.
Bring a face mask or scarf – The smoke can be intense during parades.
🌸 Stay with Us During the Festival
If you’re visiting Phuket during the Vegetarian Festival, Club Bamboo Boutique Resort & Spa offers a peaceful tropical retreat just minutes away from the excitement.
After a day of exploring the vibrant processions and sampling local vegetarian cuisine, unwind at our bamboo-inspired pool, enjoy a relaxing Thai massage, or dine at The Oasis Restaurant, which also serves a variety of vegetarian options upon request.
Whether you’re here for the culture, the cuisine, or the photography opportunities, this festival is an experience you’ll never forget.
📞 Plan Your Stay
Book your stay directly with us for the best rates and enjoy a convenient location near the heart of Patong and easy access to Phuket Town’s most famous cultural event.
👉 www.clubbamboo.com
📍 Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand